A/N: Hello one and all, this will be my first official Lord of the Rings fanfic! Yay! I will tell you I am quite the LOTR geek, but feel free to correct me if you think I am mistaken. I would prefer not to have too much flaming going on, but a little criticism is a good thing. Please R&R!

Also, this is the first chapter that has been rewritten! This story is getting revamped!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my character!

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The hooded and cloaked figure watched with curiosity as an old man robed in grey rode into the lands of their forefathers, their forest home. They had returned to tend to their wounds and were preparing to leave once more, not expecting the elderly visitor. There was something familiar about the old man that the figure couldn't quite place. Nonetheless, they hid themselves away in the darkness under the trees, bow in hand, arrow to the string, ready for any signs of a threat. The man stopped at last, looking about him. He dismounted, before turning his face towards their shadowed hiding place.

"Come now, I haven't the time for games." He called out, leaning on his staff, seemingly comfortable despite the threatening pose of the figure.

The figure recognized that voice, and they would know it anywhere. "Gandalf." It was a voice that had haunted them most of their life, one of the few outsiders that they could not escape no matter how hard they tried.

The wizened old man chuckled. "Indeed. It is good to see you again, my old friend."

The figure's only visible feature, their mouth, curled upwards in a small smile. "It is good to see you as well. It has been far too long. You are in luck. I only just returned and was preparing to leave again at the setting of the sun."

Gandalf sighed. "I had suspected as much. I was expecting you to be absent. But, since you are here, there is grave news."

Not doubting that such was true, if it had brought the wizard to this forgotten place, the figure still couldn't help but put their own goals first. "Surely there can be nothing so grave as what drives my quest and search, my friend. I will listen, as I have some time." The figure responded, almost arrogantly.

The old man chuckled again, familiar with his friend's attitude, before becoming serious once more. "A shadow has come across the land. I would ask that you attend a Council in Rivendell in little time." He watched for any sign of interest, ready to pounce upon any opportunity to coerce them into joining the Council.

Curiosity peeked, the figure leaned forward, almost eagerly. "What is this shadow? My hunt must go on, Gandalf. I, too, have little time for games." And yet, that statement was in and of itself a lie; even now they were playing a game with the wizard, and both knew it well.

"I am not certain; I am on my way to consult with Saruman about this evil. Keep on your guard. Your questions will undoubtedly be answered at the Council." Gandalf said, while he mounted his horse. The wizard knew he had captured enough interest to guarantee their presence there, and so would carry on with his own mission.

"When am I not?" the figure replied, amused. "Perhaps I shall, for now you have caught my waning sense of curiosity, Gandalf. Travel well and fleet, and may no dangers touch upon your road." With a raised hand, the figure waved farewell to the grey wizards departing back. For all that this was a game, it was a matter of friendship between them, a bond that required them each to play their part.

"A shadow indeed. Think me a fool, Gandalf? I know very well what shadow has returned to the land after all these years. Was I not here when it swept across Middle Earth the first time?" the figure murmured softly as they turned away to attend to their own business. Perhaps, though. Perhaps they would go to this council, if only for a source of entertainment.

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It had been a long journey on the road to Rivendell, the figure mused. Gandalf truly had caught their interest in this, though the journey itself was uneventful. However, the figures slight boredom vanished immediately at the feel of a familiar presence... a threatening presence. The person urged their horse to great speed, flying across the land, the hunter at last having found its prey. There would be no escape for its foe, this much they determined.

It was then that the figure picked up on another aura, this one just as worrisome – the shadow. Their enemy was approaching the shadow! The creature bearing its burden must be protected at all costs, this much the rider knew. The old coot of a wizard would never forgive them if things went awry when they were more than able to stop events from snowballing. The closer the hooded and cloaked figure got, the more tension seeped into their muscles. The familiar sensation was getting too close to the shadow for comfort. The horse, sensing its rider's unease, picked up its pace to a breakneck canter, weaving between the trees and across the hillsides with a majestic agility.

It was then that the figure burst through the trees, onto the road. Riding hard, they thundered onwards.

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Four hobbits and a man were making their way towards Rivendell with all urgency. They had all frozen when a horse and rider came jogging up the road to greet them. The figure was hooded and cloaked, and they all felt wary of this person. Aragorn grasped the hilt of his sword, watching the figure as they walked their horse forward. A few yards away, they stopped.

Before anything else could happen, a second hooded and cloaked rider burst from the trees onto the road, cutting off the first rider. The second figure called out what sounded like a challenge, but it was in some language that none of them had ever heard. Sam called out worriedly to Aragorn about Frodo's current condition.

And, with no explanation, the two riders began to duel. The second rider began to herd the first off the road, until both vanished into the forest and the road was clear once more. Now extra wary, the small company of five and a pony continued on their way to Rivendell.

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After having dealt with the threat, the hooded and cloaked rider returned to the road, on the lookout in case their prey should come near again. Despite this tension, the rider continued on their way to Rivendell, to attend a council an old friend had told them about. Also, as they trailed behind the five other travelers, they kept an eye out for other dangers, playing the part of guard, though those that they protected were not aware of their presence.

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When the rider reached Rivendell, they weren't surprised to find that those they had helped on the road were already there, though one of the shorter ones was missing. The figure guided their horse down the familiar path to the stables before dismounting. A groom there insisted on caring for the horse rather than letting its master tend to it. Reluctantly, the rider gave their mount one last pat before turning on heel and leaving him in the care of the more than capable elven groom.

The figure walked down a familiar path, to find an old friend waiting at the end. It was an unexpected welcoming party, but accepted nonetheless out of sheer politeness.

"Welcome to Rivendell." Lord Elrond smiled, his hands folded neatly before him, looking every inch the elven lord that he was.

The figure didn't respond other than a slight wave, their cloak swirling about them as they continued walking forward until they stood beside the elf.

"Is that all you have for old friends long parted?" he chuckled, knowing full well that the person before him wasn't prone to emotional displays with anyone except perhaps Gandalf. But those two had known each other for so long and knew the other so well that they could easily coexist. Not to mention that the wizard and they took great pleasure in taking jibes at one another as a form of amusement.

The cloaked figure gave a small bemused smile. "But of course. That you should expect anything more would be….shocking." They teased, as they always did. Here in Rivendell, rivalries and pains were easily forgotten and lost to time. The elf city was a place of healing, and they embraced the wholesome air of this place untouched by darkness gladly.

With a shake of his head, Elrond waved for his old friend to walk alongside of him as they traversed the paths through Rivendell. Incorrigible as always, he thought to himself, mildly amused and bemused by the child of an old friend who rarely came to visit.

"I suppose Gandalf told you of this, though you were already aware of the rising shadow. Once the young hobbit recovers, the Council will be held." The elf lord explained. He had no doubt that that was why they were here – the old wizard had had his hand in events. They would never have come to visit if there had been no driving reason, and curiosity certainly played its role with this one.

The two walked side by side down the path towards his office, passing courtyards and expansive gardens. He paused, turning to smile at the figure walking beside him, before shaking down his sleeves and reaching for their hood. When it fell with no resistance to their shoulders, his smile brightened slightly.

"It is good to know that you haven't changed… Lireal."

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A/N: DUH duh duh. Cliffhanger! Kind of. I feel so proud of myself. One chapter down, who knows how many to go….If you love me, you'll kindly press that little blue button after you type at least three characters(letters) in the magic box. It would make me very happy….and it would motivate me to update sooner.